more on this theme     |     more from this thinker


Single Idea 14917

[filed under theme 14. Science / B. Scientific Theories / 2. Aim of Science ]

Full Idea

Science aims to give us theories which are empirically adequate; and acceptance of a theory involves as belief only that it is empiricially adequate.

Gist of Idea

To accept a scientific theory, we only need to believe that it is empirically adequate

Source

Bas C. van Fraassen (The Scientific Image [1980], p.12), quoted by J Ladyman / D Ross - Every Thing Must Go 2.3.1

Book Ref

Ladyman,J/Ross,D: 'Every Thing Must Go' [OUP 2007], p.95


A Reaction

This won't tell us what to do if there is a tie between two theories, and we will want to know the criteria for 'adequate'. Presumably there are theories which are empirically quite good, but not yet acceptable. Theories commit beyond experience.


The 5 ideas from 'The Scientific Image'

To 'accept' a theory is not to believe it, but to believe it empirically adequate [Fraassen, by Bird]
Why should the true explanation be one of the few we have actually thought of? [Fraassen, by Bird]
An explanation is just descriptive information answering a particular question [Fraassen, by Salmon]
To accept a scientific theory, we only need to believe that it is empirically adequate [Fraassen]
Empiricists deny what is unobservable, and reject objective modality [Fraassen]